Chapter 16
MALCOM HAD BEEN SCREENING A lot of calls all morning, but when the phone number for the mayor of Everly Falls, Alice Sanders, popped up, he had to answer.
“Malcom,” she said, diving right in. “What’s happening with your company’s bankruptcy? Please tell me the condominium project isn’t going to grind to a halt.”
Malcom couldn’t react for a moment. Bankruptcy? Was that how Bronson was going to try getting out of his mess? He crossed the small office space of the trailer and sank onto the desk chair.
“Are you there, Malcom?” Mayor Sanders’s voice came through the phone.
“Yes, I’m here,” he said. “Sorry, Mayor, I don’t know what to say. I dissolved myself from the partnership yesterday. From everything I was told, the project would continue without me.”
“You’re the reason we agreed to the project in the first place,” the mayor said, her voice growing sharper. “And now . . . I don’t know what to say. Only that we’re not letting a construction site go fallow while your company is in bankruptcy hearings. This is a lawsuit that’s waiting to happen.”
Malcom didn’t correct her on calling it his company. His mind raced as he tried to think of other solutions. The only one that would solve everything was for another company to buy out Bronson from the project. But any other company probably had a booked-out schedule. “I understand about the lawsuit,” he told the mayor. “Look, if it were up to me, my former company would finish the project. I even offered to contract as the construction manager until it’s finished, but my lawyer advised against it.”
“Isn’t your partner your brother?” the mayor asked in a softer tone.
“Yes,” Malcom said. “Although it turns out that wasn’t in my favor, and there were some . . . things that I couldn’t work with, so I withdrew. I didn’t want it to affect Everly Falls, but I really had no choice.”
“What things?” she asked.
“Personal things that turned into company issues,” he said, not willing to go down the path of confiding in her. Only Lori knew the full details. “Look, can I call you at the end of the day? I want to do some due diligence and see if I can come up with a solution.”
“I hope you can,” the mayor said. “My entire office is up in arms, and it won’t take long for the news to reach the rest of the town.”
“I understand.” Malcom hung up, the ideas forming in his head faster than he could weigh each one. What if . . .? He rubbed his forehead. It would be a leap. A major commitment. A huge investment.
Drawing in a breath, he picked up his phone again and sent Austin a text: I’m on my way.
Fifteen minutes later, he was sitting across from Austin Hayes in a corner booth of the diner. His dark brown eyes studied Malcom as they waited for their order to arrive.
“What’s the update?” Austin asked.
Malcom had given him the bare minimum in a previous phone call. “I just found out that Bronson filed for bankruptcy and the condominium project is at an indefinite stall.”
Austin visibly winced. “The townspeople will be furious.”
“Yeah . . .” Malcom conceded. “Mayor Sanders already called me. She’s threatening a lawsuit. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sued me in addition to my brother’s company.”
Austin nodded. “Things could get a lot worse before they get better, which is why I wanted to meet with you. My company, Hayes Architecture, has been hired to renovate the natural history museum in town.”
Malcom didn’t know the place, but he’d been working nonstop since he’d arrived, and hadn’t exactly had time for sightseeing.
“You’re probably guessing what I’m going to ask,” Austin continued. “I need to hire a good manager.”
Malcom might be flattered, but he was also practical. “Don’t you already have one?”
“This job’s timing would conflict with two other projects in neighboring towns,” Austin said. “So I really could use the help. It would give you a buffer while you’re building up your own business. With you on board, the project would finish before the deadline, which could get you into the good graces of the mayor again.”
Austin said the last bit with a smile, but Malcom didn’t return it.
“I’d be a fool to turn it down,” he said. “But right now, I need to find a way to keep the condo project from turning into a wasteland for the next year until another company buys the whole thing, or a lawsuit is completed, and the city sends it out for more bids.”
The server appeared and set down their platters of food. Both had ordered chicken parmesan meals.
Austin took a sip of his soda. “What are your options?”
At this, Malcom sighed. “I need to do a bunch of the legwork to find someone to take over the project. I have a lot of contacts in the industry. And the sooner I do it, the better. I’d like to be able to give the mayor good news before word gets out to everyone else.”
Austin gave a thoughtful nod as he cut a piece of his chicken and ate a bite. “I can put out my feelers too. Too bad my company doesn’t do new builds. We only handle renovations.”
“I understand, but I was hoping you’d be a good sounding board for starters.”
“Oh?”
Malcom pulled out the printed report he’d brought with him and unfolded it. “This is my project projection for the build. It shows all the incoming and outgoing expenses, and payroll, plus the estimated profit.”
Austin took the report and leafed through it. When he got to the final page, he let out a low whistle. “That’s a good chunk of change.”
“It reflects several months of work.” Malcom reached over and tapped one of the lines. “This also reflects a decent discount we gave the city because some of the vendors are from Everly Falls, which saves money on transportation and shipping.”
“You’re using Jennings Carpet Company?” Austin asked. “That’s great.”
“Yeah.” Malcom folded his hands atop the table. “With this project at a stall, all of these deals will be delayed or even canceled. As an example, a new construction company coming in might have their own carpet company they already contract with.”
Austin lifted his gaze. “I see what you’re saying. This bankruptcy is going to affect a lot of people.”
“Yeah.” Malcom drew in a breath. “I feel responsible in a way.” He explained his suspicions about his brother’s fraud and how everything crumbled from there.
“Wow,” Austin said. “That’s rough no matter how you look at it.”
“I’m not in a position to take over the project on my own,” Malcom said. “I’d need investors, and the rest secured through a bank loan. But within a year, with only fifty percent of the condos sold, it would turn a profit.”
Austin put down his fork. “You’re thinking of taking it over?”
“The thought’s been nagging me,” he admitted. “It might not be attainable though. I haven’t run any hard numbers yet, and I haven’t talked to any investors, or approached a bank. I’d need a good down payment, of which I can come up with about half. The rest would have to be a construction loan.”
Austin flipped through the report again. “I might be interested. Can you send me the report when you have more concrete numbers, and I’ll talk through things with my dad? He works with me, and I don’t know how he’ll feel, but I’m mostly interested in this because it’s Everly Falls.”
Malcom felt elated at Austin’s interest, but there was still a long way to go. He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I understand. I’ll get to work on the numbers.” He paused. “I wouldn’t be doing this either if this were any other location. I mean, it’s kind of like putting my whole life on the line.”
Austin chuckled. “You believe in it, and that’s a good sign. The best sign. It would certainly make the mayor happy if this project could be salvaged without too much trouble.” He took another sip of his drink. “Are you going to stay in the trailer, or are you going to find a more permanent place to stay?”
“I need to be out of the trailer soon,” he said. “It’s in the company name, which is no longer mine. I’m not sure how permanent I can commit to until I figure out if I can get a business loan for the project.”
“There’s a house for rent on our street,” Austin said. “Everly pointed it out to me the other day, and said it might be a good place for someone like you.”
Malcom raised his brows. “That’s a coincidence.”
Austin grinned. “I think she’s looking out for her friend Lori.”
“Lori doesn’t factor into this decision.” When he saw the disbelief on Austin’s face, he continued, “I mean, she’s definitely a good part of Everly Falls. But there are many good things about this town. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.”
Austin’s smile appeared again. “I get it. You’ve only known each other a few weeks. But when you know, you know.”
Malcom wanted to get off the subject of Lori—if he confessed anything, he had no doubt it would make it back to Everly, then the entire friend group. He couldn’t do that to her. They’d kissed last night, and he was pretty sure she wanted that development to stay between them. “How was it when you met Everly? You’re not originally from here.”
Austin finished another bite of his food. “I definitely wasn’t looking to move out of my own town. My daughter had a good situation and routine with my parents helping out. I hadn’t realized what Jessica was missing out on without having a mom around. And me—what I was missing out on. Until we met Everly. Things fell into place after that.”
“That’s great,” Malcom said. “You guys are wonderful together. And you’ve been great to me. So thank you.”
“It’s not a problem,” Austin said. “You’re a good man. And it’s plain that Lori sees it too—and all her friends.”
Malcom wasn’t sure if he’d ever received so many compliments at once.
“I guess we’ll see you tonight?” Austin asked.
“I’ll be there,” he said. “But keep this idea of mine between us for now. I don’t want to set up any expectations in case things don’t pan out.”
Austin nodded and set his napkin on the table. “No problem.”
After they parted ways, Malcom walked back to the building site and his trailer. He hadn’t driven his truck, preferring to walk. Take in the sights of the town that he was thinking of staying a while in. Maybe. Time would tell. Before the dinner with Lori and her friends, he wanted to reach out to the construction crew—let them know that he was trying to find a way to keep them employed. He’d need their patience though.
Everything seemed to be happening at once, and he wasn’t sure he could pull it all off. In the middle of all his swirling thoughts, there was Lori. And their kiss last night. It had been on the edge of all of his decisions today. Austin had probably been right. Lori was definitely part of this decision. At least the decision to find a place other than a trailer to live in.
There’d been no communication between them since saying goodbye last night. What if she regretted things? What if she regretted him? His life was a chaotic mess right now, and she didn’t even know about the bankruptcy.
He pulled out his phone to call her, or maybe text her. She deserved an update.
But he’d rather see her and talk to her in person. Would the shop be busy now? There was only one way to find out.
When he reached the shop, he paused at the window display decorated for Thanksgiving. It made him smile to think that Lori was probably wearing a turkey-themed shirt or something with a cornucopia. He wondered what her earrings would be. Then he wondered if she ever wore the same earrings twice.
The bell jangled when he opened the door, and seconds later, he was greeted by Marci.
“Oh, hello, there,” she said with a wide smile. Her red hair was held in place by a dark green headband that matched her green sweater. “Looking for Lori?”
Before he could answer, she called out, “Lori, he’s here.”
He’s here? Did he not need a name?
“I think I’ll take my lunch break now,” Marci continued. She flashed Malcom a smile. “She’s in the storage room.”
Then Marci was gone before Malcom could even get a single word in. He stood for a moment after the woman sailed out of the shop. Then he heard footsteps and turned.
Lori had appeared, a roll of orange ribbon and a pair of scissors in her hands. “Oh, hey.”
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were curious, questioning even. She wore russet-brown overalls, a long-sleeved shirt, and yes . . . earrings that looked like miniature autumn leaves.
“Hey,” he said.
The air between them seemed to pause. He wasn’t sure what the right thing to say was. Was she happy about last night? Regretting it? Were things different in the light of day?
“How did the lunch with Austin go?” she asked.
She didn’t make a move to walk any closer, but he didn’t like the distance between them.
“It went great, actually.” He took a few steps, closing the distance. Her chin lifted, and her eyes remained on his, her gaze steady. He liked that.
“I meant to call you this morning,” he said. “There’ve been some new developments with Bronson.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, setting the ribbon and scissors on a nearby display shelf.
He gave her a quick rundown, then said, “I’m working on some solutions so the town doesn’t get jilted.”
A smile touched her face. “Of course you are. I’m not surprised in the least.”
He was surprised though—at her confidence in him. “You’re not?”
“No.” Her voice dipped low. “Are you still planning on dinner tonight with my friends?”
He noted the hope in her eyes, and knew her question wasn’t as simple as it sounded. “Do you still want me to go?”
“I do.”
He stepped close then and touched one of her earrings. “I like these.”
She huffed out a laugh. “You always say that.”
His heart felt like it was zooming about the room. “It’s always true.” He leaned closer, and when she didn’t move, he pressed his mouth against hers.
The kiss was light, intermingled with smiling, and filled with plenty of warmth.
Her hands slid up his chest, creating a trail of fire, and he anchored his hands at her waist. He didn’t dare pull her too close or take the kiss too deep. The shop was open, and they could be interrupted at any moment. But he definitely enjoyed kissing her, and he couldn’t decide if this second round was better than the first. Maybe equal?
He liked having her in his arms. Her skin soft, her touch warm, her scent cinnamon.
“Are we kissing friends now?” she asked, drawing away much too soon.
It took a moment for his mind to comprehend her question because he’d become lost in her touch. “It seems we are,” he rasped. “Is that okay?”
Before she could answer, the shop door opened behind them, signaled with the jangle of the bell.
Lori stepped back and picked up the ribbon and scissors again, as if she hadn’t just been turning his world upside down.
“Hi, Mrs. Rudd,” she said to the person who’d just entered. “Can I help you find something?”
“I’m looking for kitchen towels,” the woman said. “What do you have with a Thanksgiving design? I can’t find the ones I had last year.”
“Oh, we have them right over here.” Lori squeezed Malcom’s hand as she brushed past him.
He busied himself looking through a shelf of candles, pretending to be a customer. When in truth, he couldn’t wait for the customer to leave so he could have Lori to himself again.